Where We Live: Lackawanna

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Concerns about safety in the Lackawanna Public Library have prompted 3rd Ward Councilman Joe Jerge to request that the city’s police department include a nightly stop at the library as part of regular patrols in the neighborhood.

Jerge wrote a letter to Public Safety Director Dana Britton and Police Chief James Michel requesting a stop between 4 and 9 p.m. at the library, 560 Ridge Road.

The letter is included in the agenda for the City Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday in Council chambers, 714 Ridge Road.

It follows concerns raised at the Sept. 3 Council meeting about recent threats of violence made by some adults and teenagers inside the library.

Robert Kelly said he’s witnessed fights, threats and other nuisance incidents in the library from disruptive patrons on a regular basis.

“We ask them to leave. They swear at us on the way out. They threaten us,” Kelly told Council members. “Something’s got to be done up there. I’m telling you it’s getting serious.”

In his letter, Jerge said that library director Jennifer Johnston confirmed the problems and was concerned about her safety and the safety of female employees, “because they are sometimes alone when these problems occur.”